President/congress' role in foreign policy USP Flashcards
(20 cards)
what is the power and impact of ‘commander in chief of the armed forces’ in the president’s foreign policy powers
- grants president supreme command over military forces
- can deploy troops/ respond to immediate threats
- E.G. Obama order military operation which killed Obama Bin Laden
what is the power and impact of ‘power to negotiate treaties’ in the president’s foreign policy powers
- enables pres to shape international treaties with other nations
- woodrow wilson in 1919 signing the treaty of Versailles (senate did not ratify treaty)
what is the power and impact of ‘appointment power’ in the president’s foreign policy powers
- president can choose key representatives to maintain relations both nationally and internationally
- Trump appointing Nikki Haley as United States ambassador to UN in 2017
what is the power and impact of ‘head of state’ in the president’s foreign policy powers
- represents US at all official functions
- JFK visiting Berlin to show support to Berlin during the Cold War in 1963
what is the power and impact of ‘power to declare war’ in the congress’ foreign policy powers
- critical check on president’s power as commander in chief
- done when the Japanese attacked pearl habour
what is the power and impact of ‘power to ratify treaties’ in the congress’ foreign policy powers
- significant control over what country’s international agreements
- NATO is an example of this
what is the power and impact of ‘regulation of foreign commerce’ in the congress’ foreign policy powers
- can influence international trade policies and impose tariffs
what is the power and impact of ‘power of the purse’ in the congress’ foreign policy powers
- controls defence and foreign aid budgets
what is the power and impact of ‘impeachment power’ in the congress’ foreign policy powers
- check on conducting in foreign affairs (ensuring accountability)
- impeachment of Nixon (although he resigned) and attempted ones for Clinton and Trump
what is the power and impact of ‘oversight and investigative powers’ in the congress’ foreign policy powers
- congress/committee hearings and investigations act as oversight
- House intelligence committee set up 1313 page investigation for alleged Russian interference for 0216 election
what is the power and impact of ‘confirming hearings’ in the congress’ foreign policy powers
- influence the composition of key diplomatic positions
- Brett Kavanaugh and his judicial appointment process (full of scrutiny)
what impacting the relationship between president and congress when it came to wars
the cold war
- increase military action and imminent need of using its powers as commander in chief DOES NOT MEAN DECLARATION OF WAR
- see through the Vietnam War and the invasion of Iraq
what is the power and impact of ‘changing national security threats and intelligence’ in the president’s foreign policy powers
- growth in this power since international threats and cyber attacks have increased
- extensive military actions as well as targeted killings
- E.G. the drone killings of the Houthis in Yemen
what was the war powers resolution and what impacts did it have on military action
- congress effort to reclaim war-declaring authority 1973
- president must consult within congress before deploying forces and requires withdrawal after 60 days UNLESS congress grants extension or declares war
- done so in Syria and Iraq 2013 due to ISIS
how has congress been seen to have had influence in foreign affairs
- Nancy Pelosi visited China and Taiwan over heightened tensions between them
- demonstrates ability of congressional leaders to shape foreign policy
how did the shift in public opinion over the Iraq and Afghanistan War impact Bush
- rising financial and lives lost made public dislike Bush
what did trump1 do to old foreign policies
- withdrew from paris climate agreement
- Left Iran Nuclear Deal (limited Iran’s nuclear weapons)
- North Korea Summits
what did biden do to old foreign policies
- withdrew from afghanistan
- joined paris climate agreement
- Ukraine = $75B in assistance
- Gaza = $14.3B in assistance
what are the arguments that presidents dominate foreign policy
- given role and power in constitution
- presidential power has grown since constitution
- crises and public opinion bolster legitimacy
- dominates when quick decisions are needed
what are the arguments that presidents DOES NOT dominate foreign policy
- congress has significant checks
- congress has attempted to make checks harder
- limited by public opinion
